U.S. Ski & Snowboard on Tuesday formally announced the 23 athletes named to the cross-country skiing national team for the 2023/2024 season.
Athletes new to the national team this season include D-Team skiers Haley Brewster, Brian Bushey, Max Kluck, Ava Thurston, and Derek Richardson, who is universally known as “Buster.” Welcome to these five, and congratulations to all 23 athletes.
“The U.S. team is hungry to begin the 2023/24 season after a very productive preparation period with excellent training opportunities at Mt. Bachelor in Oregon, the Torsby ski tunnel in Sweden, and the Snow Farm in New Zealand, among other locations,” said Chris Grover, national team Program Director, in a USSS press release.
Grover continued, “Training progress has been evident in the many outstanding performances by our athletes in major rollerski and running competitions around the globe. Although the entire season will be exciting to watch, some highlights from the team will include the Tour de Ski, which will include non-traditional longer events in both Toblach and Davos, and of course our home World Cup at Wirth Park in Minneapolis.”
Here is the official 2023/2024 World Cup calendar. February 9–13, in Canmore (four World Cup races), and February 17–18, in Minneapolis (two World Cup races), should already be on most North American ski fans’ radar.
The official team announcement follows below.
2023/2024 Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team
A-Team
Women
Rosie Brennan (club: APUNSC)
Jessie Diggins (SMS)
Julia Kern (SMS)
Men
Ben Ogden (SMS)
JC Schoonmaker (APUNSC)
B-Team
Women
Sophia Laukli (Team Aker Dæhlie)
Novie McCabe (APUNSC)
Sydney Palmer-Leger (SMS)
Men
John Steel Hagenbuch (Dartmouth College)
Luke Jager (APUNSC)
Zak Ketterson (Team Birkie)
Zanden McMullen (APUNSC)
Scott Patterson (APUNSC)
Gus Schumacher (APUNSC)
D-Team
Women
Haley Brewster (University of Vermont)
Samantha Smith (Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation)
Ava Thurston (Dartmouth College)
Men
Brian Bushey (University of Utah)
Michael Earnhart (APUNSC)
Walker Hall (Methow Valley Nordic Team; University of Utah)
Max Kluck (Bridger Sports Foundation)
Will Koch (SMS)
Derek “Buster” Richardson (APUNSC)
Coaches and Staff
Cross Country Program Director: Chris Grover
Head Coach: Matt Whitcomb
World Cup Coach: Jason Cork
D Team Coach: Kristen Bourne
Development Team Coach: Greta Anderson
Cross Country Development Director: Bryan Fish
Cross Country Sport Coordinator: Adam St. Pierre
Cross Country Press Officer: Leann Bentley
Service Staff
Head of Service: Oleg Ragilo
World Cup Service: Bjørn Heimdal
World Cup Service: Eli Brown
World Cup Service: Chris Hecker
World Cup Service: Karel Kruuser
World Cup Service: Paul Choudoir
— Gavin Kentch
